'...And now there is prepared for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing...' This sense that a crown awaits you, if not today then tomorrow, is known to every true Christian. Without it, our Christianity is not genuine...
'...And now there is prepared for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing...' This sense that a crown awaits you, if not today then tomorrow, is known to every true Christian. Without it, our Christianity is not genuine. But what is the 'crown of truth' or 'crown of righteousness,' as Bishop Cassian translates, and is every suffering of ours this crown? In such translations it seems to us that this crown is something prepared only for saints. The word 'crown' itself sounds lofty, and adding to it the predicate of truth or righteousness raises the whole expression to a height inaccessible to ordinary mortals. How then are we to understand the apostle Paul's words that the crown is prepared for 'all'?
Let us turn to the Greek text. There stands the expression 'dikaiosynes stephanos.' Among its meanings there are indeed righteousness, rightness, truthfulness, faithfulness to law, desert, and worthiness; but in addition there are several somewhat different meanings, according to Dvoretsky's Ancient Greek-Russian Dictionary. Let us look at them: first, 'even, exact'; second, 'suitable'; third, 'having a right'; and finally, simply 'obligated.' Of course, the apostle hardly intended to put all these meanings into the text at once. But since we do not know his intentions exactly, by choosing only an elevated style we risk distorting the thought. Therefore it is no sin to look more closely at other, though related, meanings.
In fact, each of the four meanings given here is close to us. 'Even, exact' - for everyone knows that God gives us a crown exactly according to our strength. Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh observes that there is a certain boundary in attaining such spiritual clarity of sight that one can see one's soul in its true light, see it and freeze in horror at what is seen, sway as if about to fall - and yet stand. This state is familiar to everyone who has ever made an honest confession. 'Suitable': and is not the crown that God gives the only one, suitable only for me? As soon as we grasp at what is not ours, at a ministry not intended for us by God or simply not blessed by Him, we suffer shameful failure, drawing other people into it as well. We 'have the right' to our crown, for we received this right together with faith. And finally, we are simply 'obligated' to take it: for we are not saints and not martyrs; we are simply doing what we must.
3
3:14 From whom - Even from me a teacher approved of God.
3:15 From an infant thou hast known the holy scriptures - Of the Old Testament. These only were extant when Timothy was an infant. Which are able to make thee wise unto salvation, through faith in the Messiah that was to come. How much more are the Old and New Testament together able, in God's hand, to make us more abundantly wise unto salvation! Even such a measure of present salvation as was not known before Jesus was glorified.
3:16 All scripture is inspired of God - The Spirit of God not only once inspired those who wrote it, but continually inspires, supernaturally assists, those that read it with earnest prayer. Hence it is so profitable for doctrine, for instruction of the ignorant, for the reproof or conviction of them that are in error or sin, for the correction or amendment of whatever is amiss, and for instructing or training up the children of God in all righteousness.
3:17 That the man of God - He that is united to and approved of God. May be perfect - Blameless himself, and throughly furnished - By the scripture, either to teach, reprove, correct, or train up others.
4
4:1 I charge thee therefore - This is deduced from the whole preceding chapter. At his appearing and his kingdom - That is, at his appearing in the kingdom of glory.
4:2 Be instant - Insist on, urge these things in season, out of season - That is, continually, at all times and places. It might be translated, with and without opportunity - Not only when a fair occasion is given: even when there is none, one must be made.
4:3 For they will heap up teachers - Therefore thou hast need of "all longsuffering." According to their own desires - Smooth as they can wish. Having itching ears - Fond of noveltyand variety, which the number of new teachers, as well as their empty, soft, or philosophical discourses, pleased. Such teachers, and such hearers, seldom are much concerned with what is strict or to the purpose. Heap to themselves - Not enduring sound doctrine, they will reject the sound preachers, and gather together all that suit their own taste. Probably they send out one another as teachers, and so are never at a loss for numbers.
4:5 Watch - An earnest, constant, persevering exercise. The scripture watching, or waiting, implies steadfast faith, patient hope, labouring love, unceasing prayer; yea, the mighty exertion of all the affections of the soul that a man is capable of. In all things - Whatever you are doing, yet in that, and in all things, watch. Do the work of an evangelist - Which was next to that of an apostle.